I lost my digital camera, now I want a SLR, but which one?

[ICE]

yesrtday i lost my fkin digital camera, im still bummed out about it

never have ur camera kept in ur pockets while on a roller coaster.

so anywayz I want a SLR...dont have quite the money for ones over 500...
I heard that the nikon d40 is pretty good for amateurs..., as i am one myself..

which ones do you guys suggest for me?
thx

[dcclark]

I love my Nikon D40, and it's extra-cheap nowadays.

However, my best suggestion is this: go to a local electronics or photo store, and try out a few different SLRs in your hands. They should have a variety of Nikon and/or Canon models. You want to look for comfort (is it easy to hold, or is the grip too big, too small, too pointed, too rough?), how easy it is to reach the controls (do you have to stretch to reach the command dials on the front or back, are buttons easy to get to?), weight (is it uncomfortable to hold for a while?), and general ease-of-use (go through the menus and interface, see if things make a bit of sense).

That should help you narrow down to two or three cameras. Then we may be able to help you more. But in general -- give that D40 (or maybe a D3000, although I've heard some things about its processing speed being bizarrely slow) a try.